Sounds

Today, my parents and I went down to Sabo's shop. I met ck there cus she went to go pick up her bow. I went there to go test out violins. The violins are all quite nice, one was slightly problematic while the rest were quite well behaved. I had to eliminate from about 7 violins. There was ck around to help me. We have quite similar taste I think. The 20k violin is out of the question. My parents say it's too expensive and considering that there 2 people in the house need a new instrument each (piano + vioin), as well as the lessons that come with it. In the end, I eliminated the rest and was left with 2 violins. One China one and another one made by Sabo's assistant (disciple) in Singapore. The prices are about twice each other. The Singapore one has a really nice sound and what I consider a louder and more open version of the Cheena one. The Cheena one will give my ears a few more years to live and it also sounds not bad.

Sabo let me take home the 2 violins to try further and ask Ms Kwok for opinions. They lent me this case that can fit 2 violins. Quite cool. But then it's quite heavy. Ok, maybe not that heavy compared to ck's 8kg giant she lugged around to Sabo's shop. 60% of my vote goes to the Cheena one. I don't know if I can trust Sabo's disciple's violin so I'll ask my teacher for opinions. But it really sounds quite good.

After that, my parents and I went to Thomson Plaza to look at the Yamaha pianos. So far most people we asked support Yamaha more. But dad and I seem to think Yamaha pianos sound dead. The only good sounding and nice touch one is the Yamaha that imitates the grand piano's functions. German pianos have a nice warm tone but the precision is not as good as Yamaha's, as well as the warranty period etc. Now my parents are deciding between Kawai and Yamaha. I support the Kawai because it sounds nice. but whether it's inner parts are precise and will last is another thing. My parents gave up on German pianos cus it was out of the budget. I think they plan to spend around 10K on us each. I think it's reasonable enough, considering they have long term lessons to pay for. I will just aim to work and earn money to get a 50k violin. That means 50 years later.

After Thomson Plaza, we went to Parkway to look at Kawai pianos. Out of my family, dad's the only one who can play the piano reasonably well. So we let him just do the playing and we throw in comments when neccessary. It's really a mystry how he can still play. He never touches our lousy keyboard at home and manags to play for church. I am impressed. If I don't touch the violin for a week, I lose some touch already. After 3 consecutive days of listening to pianos and violins (today), my ears are really dead tired and my brain is beginning to hate music.

I practiced using the Cheena violin at night. It sounded good and the response was quite fast. I found it much easier to play. But the only thing that's worrying me is, I left my phone on my desk 2m away from where I stand to practice, and I couldn't hear my phone ring at all. I nearly got scared to death when I saw I had a missed call. This is bad. Right now, everything around me seems a little quieter than usual, like there's this vacuum thats sucking out the noise. Oh and of course my high pitched sound in my ear after practice is still there (tinnitus). I think it's getting worse but I'm getting used to it at the same time, which is scary.

Theory and full dress rehearsal tomorrow. Another long day ahead.